THE Bishop of Coventry is backing the campaign to save Ilengela Ileo from deportation.

He said it would be "barbaric" for the Home Office to force Ilengela back to her homeland, the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The 30-year-old is currently on bail from Yarls Wood deportation centre, near Bedford.

The Evening Telegraph is championing Ilengela's fight for freedom because her mum and sister, Ngoya and Victoria, both live in Coventry, which Ilengela, of Bell Green, has called home for the past three years.

She no longer has contact with any relatives in DRC, a country she is petrified of returning to after her uncle was murdered there for his political affiliations.

The Rt Rev Colin Bennetts said: "To send anyone back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo when their life is in danger is a barbarism not fit for a civilised country.

"Given what we know about the African country, and from what we have read in the Evening Telegraph about Ilengela's campaign, should she be sent to DRC she would face a very uncertain future.

"I therefore urge people to do everything they can to back the campaign."

Bishop Colin met the Anglican Archbishop of DRC, the Most Reverend Dr Dirokpa Fidele this week.

He said: "The Archbishop told me he had lost 50 members of his family during the years of conflict.

"To send anyone, let alone a single woman, back into that environment would be highly questionable."

Ilengela said: "I was really nervous before meeting the bishop because he is a big, important man.

"But he made me feel confident and I am thrilled that he has agreed to help me."

DRC will on Sunday hold its first democratic election since gaining independence in 1960, and there are already outbreaks of violence and complaints about millions of missing ballots.

* A copy of a letter calling on the British government to grant Ilengela right to live in the city on humanitarian grounds is available to sign in reception at the Evening Telegraph's offices in Corporation Street, city centre.